Galen Rupp just smashed the high school record in the 5000 meter run in Belgium tonight, running a 13:37.91, placing him 11th overall in the race. More information is posted on the high school national board at dyestat.com.

Or possibly the 3000 m steelechase If he does stick with Salazar for several more years, I'd bet anything he becomes a 5k/10k/XC guy.

Reason I say that is after seeing how he moved Dan Browne from a sub-4:00 miler up to the marathon, I'm guessing Salazar is of the school that sprint speed can't be improved much, and therefore runners should always move up in competitive distance.

Actually, not turning pro. Is attending Portland St Univ and continuing to train under Salazar. My understanding is, no money or support. He wants to keep his options open. However, McGrath has left the Univ of Ore program to train here in town, and ran 1:47.62 at the same meet. Dan Browne ran 13:16.02 also._________________Paul

I didn't realize that Salazar was coaching in Oregon ... Could become the New/Old hotbed for US distance running ... Salazar will have this kid in the 5/10 ... And if he has his trainign geared anything like his own, then I see this kid as a sub 13, sub 27 and perhaps AR holder in both, since this kid seems to have great potential ..._________________Conway
Speed Thrills

Dan, you're right. It slipped my mind that he is living in the altitude house. And it will be a fine line. He just won't have a contract. But what about training expenses, etc.?? I guess I don't have a problem with someone picking up those costs, after all, a school picks up those costs if you are representing them.

No doubt Salazar is on his way to becoming one of our nation's better coaches. Conway, check your Library to see if they carry Alberto Salazar's Guide to Road Racing. Best training book I've read. Chapter 5 on speed training, alone, is worth the price of the book.

The only thing that stands about those stats is the weak fields he won against in '98. Otherwise, they're pretty steady across the years and not significantly different after switching to Salazar. It's a pretty natural progression for distance runners to steadily increase the distances.

Adam, Dan: Do you think Salazar might have just simply seen a natural marathoner in Browne?? After all, he (Salazar) does coach others in shorter races.
By the way, about a month ago, there was a special race at Lincoln High's new track at 9PM, set up by Nike. There were several top HS people from around the country, including Kiptoo from New Mexico, who Hammer had mentioned during Cross Country. Rupp edged him at Footlocker, but Kiptoo was just getting over injuries. There was just one race, a mile run, to try to get a couple of guys under 4:00. No one broke that barrier, and Rupp ended up 3rd at 4:03 something. I was there. My immediate opinion was that Rupp has the stride characteristics of a distance runner (5K, 10K) and not a middle distance runner. He has the turnover, but not the power that someone like Webb (or Ryun) has. Kiptoo passed Rupp in the last 50m or so and beat him by half a sec. Kiptoo was 2nd in that race. McGrath was also in the race and ran 4:06, his fastest since last year._________________Paul